LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The Nike Football SPARQ Combine tour stopped in Southern California this past Saturday as nearly 1,300 football athletes tested and competed at Veterans Stadium for the 11th combine of the 2012 campaign. While many had great performances, only 24 were good enough to make the All-Combine team.
Note: Selections are based upon combine performance as well as past and projected on-field performance. Athletes must have completed two of the four combine tests to be eligible for selection. Athletes are in the Class of 2013 unless otherwise noted.
OFFENSE
QB: Trevor Hodge, 6-0.5, 185, Citrus Hill (Perris, Calif.)
Results: 4.74 40, 4.40 SH, 34-0 PB, 29.1 VJ, 78.78 SPARQ
Breakdown: This past fall Hodge racked up over 2,800 yards of offense and 31 touchdowns.
RB: Khalfani Muhammad, 5-7.5, 160, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Results: 4.58 40, 4.09 SH, 33-0 PB, 35.5 VJ, 98.64 SPARQ
Breakdown: Quick and shifty back already has offers from UCLA, Washington and Oregon State among others.
RB: Royce Freeman ('14), 5-11.5, 215, Imperial (Calif.)
Results: 4.76 40, 4.36 SH, 38-0 PB, 33.4 VJ, 99.72 SPARQ
Breakdown: Freeman had a monster sophomore year, rushing for 2,075 yards and 35 scores while earning a spot on the Cal-Hi Sports All-State team.
RB: Alexander Kline, 5-9.5, 208, Gahr (Cerritos, Calif.)
Results: 4.76 40, 4.58 SH, 41-0 PB, 33.6 VJ, 100.41 SPARQ
Breakdown: Increased rating 13 points from last year's Nike combine.
WR: Steven Mitchell, 5-10.5, 177, Alemany (Mission Hills, Calif.)
Results: 4.63 40, 4.26 SH, 35-5 PB, 33.3 VJ, 94.62 SPARQ
Breakdown: Explosive wideout who went over 1,000 yards and 17 scores a year ago. Mitchell holds several top offers already.
WR: Jalen Brown ('14), 6-1, 175, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix)
Results: 4.88 40, 4.29 SH, 36-5 PB, 31.4 VJ, 83.40 SPARQ
Breakdown: Grabbed 37 receptions for 621 yards and 10 scores during sophomore year; in-state powers Arizona and Arizona State have extended early verbal offers.
WR: Addison Johnson ('14), 5-7, 160, Coeur D'Alene (Idaho)
Results: 4.53 40, 4.10 SH, 33-5 PB, 38.7 VJ, 105.99 SPARQ
Breakdown: Not from a football factory state, but the diminutive Johnson landed in the top five with his strong performance.
OL: J.D. Hinnant, 6-3.5, 257, Fountain Valley (Calif.)
Results: 5.46 40, 4.15 SH, 33-5 PB, 23.4 VJ, 77.52 SPARQ
Breakdown: Super-quick shuttle time for an OL; Oregon State and Washington State have offered the fleet-footed tackle.
OL: Donnell Toliver, 6-2, 251, Vista Murrietta (Calif.)
Results: 5.18 40, 4.62 SH, 36-0 PB, 26.8 VJ, 73.89 SPARQ
Breakdown: Hard-nosed road-grader competes in the shot put as well as on the gridiron.
OL: Ben Simonds, 6-3.5, 255, La Quinta (Calif.)
Results: 5.41 40, 4.53 SH, 36-0 PB, 23.6 VJ, 68.85 SPARQ
Breakdown: Started at tackle as a sophomore; has nice size and footwork.
OL: Devon Finai, 6-0.5, 311, Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Results: 5.48 40, 5.03 SH, 35-5 PB, 22.8 VJ, 68.46 SPARQ
Breakdown: Not the tallest, but he is hard to move at 311 pounds.
ATH: Jordan Robinson, 5-9, 172, Ayala (Chino Hills, Calif.)
Results: 4.60 40, 4.23 SH, 36-0 PB, 37.1 VJ, 102.30 SPARQ
Breakdown: Versatile athlete totaled over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns while intercepting two passes on defense.
DEFENSE
DL: Justin Barlow, 6-1.5, 230, Great Oak (Temucula, Calif.)
Results: 5.15 40, 4.75 SH, 42-0 PB, 27.1 VJ, 82.38 SPARQ
Breakdown: Checked in at DL after making second team All-Southwestern League as an OL last fall.
DL: Austin Berk, 6-5, 223, Grand Junction (Colo.)
Results: 5.16 40, 4.53 SH, 37-5 PB, 27.1 VJ, 74.61 SPARQ
Breakdown: Berk has in-state offers from Air Force and Colorado State after collecting 52 tackles and 10.5 sacks as a junior.
DL: Jake Smirk, 6-1.5, 223, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Results: 4.88 40, 4.27 SH, 37-0 PB, 30.8 VJ, 94.05 SPARQ
Breakdown: Smirk is a solid defensive end prospect that should add bulk without losing his impressive lateral speed.
LB: Jack Ferguson, 6-1, 246, San Luis Obispo (Calif.)
Results: 4.85 40, 4.45 SH, 42-0 PB, 28.8 VJ, 103.05 SPARQ
Breakdown: Stout inside linebacker with great size and high motor. Ivy League schools are showing interest, but look for other FBS schools to come calling this spring.
LB: Dwight Williams ('14), 6-0, 186, Serra (Gardena, Calif.)
Results: 4.15 SH, 35-5 PB
Breakdown: Underclass standout had a solid outing, registering a fast shuttle and strong power ball toss.
LB: Kevin Palma, 6-1.5, 236, Mission Oak (Tulare, Calif.)
Results: 4.75 40, 4.15 SH, 46-0 PB, 31.1 VJ, 118.77 SPARQ
Breakdown: Combine-best 46-foot power ball toss and super-quick shuttle to finish with the second overall rating; reports an offer from Nevada.
LB: Dakota Cox, 6-0, 220, Juan Diego (Draper, Utah)
Results: 4.75 40, 4.19 SH, 36-0 PB, 29.3 VJ, 96.15 SPARQ
Breakdown: Hard-hitting defender performed well in Long Beach; racked up 92 tackles, two sacks and an interception during junior year.
DB: Marcus Williams, 5-11, 197, Durango (Las Vegas)
Results: 4.43 40, 4.06 SH, 36-5 PB, 39.4 VJ, 128.91 SPARQ
Breakdown: Recorded the fastest 40 time and the highest vertical en route to posting the day's top SPARQ rating.
DB: Justin Sweet, 5-9.5 174, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Results: 4.55 40, 4.07 SH, 31-0 PB, 32.9 VJ, 95.64 SPARQ
Breakdown: New Mexico has offered the sticky cover corner with excellent speed and agility.
DB: Sam Baldwin, 6-1, 170, Madison (Rexburg, Idaho)
Results: 4.65 40, 4.18 SH, 34-0 PB, 37.4 VJ, 99.39 SPARQ
Breakdown: Not a big name, but his 4.65 40 and 37-inch vert should help get him on the recruiting map.
DB: Darius Allensworth, 5-10.5, 175, Heritage (Romoland, Calif.)
Results: 4.82 40, 4.39 SH, 35-0 PB, 36.6 VJ, 87.12 SPARQ
Breakdown: Two-way standout notched 64 tackles and four interceptions on defense while adding 395 yards receiving and five scores in 2011; picked up first offer from Arizona last month.
ATH: Alex Turner, 5-8, 157, Paramount (Calif.)
Results: 4.76 40, 4.07 SH, 33-0 PB, 37.7 VJ, 95.43 SPARQ
Breakdown: Turner spends time at tailback and corner and also returns kicks for the Pirates.